asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Czecho-Slovacs referred to in the Allies' Note as being a people for whose independence they are fighting are two distinct nationalities, or, as suggested by the hyphen, are they Slovacs of Czecho origin?

Czechs and Slovacs are two branches of the same race.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would be possible to decide the territory to which independence would be granted, so that we might learn something of the people?

No, Sir.

May I ask whether the hon. Member is not incorrect in using the word "independence," no such word having appeared in the Allied Note?

Has the Foreign Office a map which shows the territory occupied by the Czecho-Slovacs?

There are a certain number of maps at the Foreign Office, but whether they are all absolutely correct or not I cannot say.

Are the maps of the Balkan Peninsula those that were current before the last Balkan War?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make arrangements whereby duly accredited representatives of Ireland may be allowed to offer an independent statement of the right of self-government for Ireland at the International Conference which will decide the terms of peace?

No, Sir.

Does the right hon. Gentleman hold, in the style of the Biglaw papers, that "Freedom is a kind of thing that does not agree with Irishmen?"

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of German Consuls, post offices, telegraph offices, banks, and commercial firms located in British concessions in China; and how many British Consuls, post offices, telegraph offices, banks, and commercial firms are similarly located in German concessions in China?

The following German institutions are located in British concessions: One Consulate, two post offices, two banks and thirty-two commercial firms. In the German concessions there are no British Consulates, post offices, telegraph offices or banks, and only four commercial firms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether only about 6½ per cent, of the hog and sheep casings used as sausage skins are produced in this country and that the prohibition of the import seriously restricts the supply of cheap food; whether cattle casings cannot be used as a substitute; whether sheep casings may be imported from New Zealand on condition that they are immediately transhipped and exported to America, a process which occupies more shipping space than if they were imported to this country; whether he has consulted any representatives of the trade in this country other than producers, whose interest it is to prevent the import of casings and so keep up prices; and whether he has granted any licences to import?

The question of granting licences for the import of hog and sheep casings has been under consideration by the Board of Trade for some time, in consultation with other Departments concerned. Some licences have already been granted or promised and other applications are being dealt with. It is true of all goods on the prohibited list that their transhipment to British ports in transit to foreign or Colonial destinations is not affected by the prohibitions of import into the United Kingdom.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether he has consulted the Food Controller with regard to this matter?

I believe so, but I will make sure.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question which asks what representatives of the trade he has consulted?

I cannot say. I will make inquiry and let the hon. Member know.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state the quantity of potatoes shipped from Ireland under licence from the date of the Order to the end of January, 1917; and if he can give the names of the persons or firms to whom licences have been granted; the conditions attached to the licence; the quantity of potatoes shipped by each person or firm; and the names of the ports from which they were shipped?

asked whether licences are being granted for the export of potatoes out of Ireland; and, if so, from what ports?

The quantities of potatoes exported from Ireland under the Potatoes (Ireland) Order, 1916, which came into operation on 21st December, 1916, up to 31st January last, was 5,500 tons, exclusive of (1) exports for military purposes, and (2) exports in small quantities by and to private persons. A statement giving the ports from which the potatoes were shipped, and the names of the traders who were granted export licences, will be supplied to the hon. Members. No conditions were attached to any of these licences, save in regard to the quantity authorised in each case.

Does that include the potatoes supplied to the Army?

I stated that it excludes all exports for military purposes and exports in small quantities for private parties.

In view of the danger of shortage of potatoes in Ireland before the next crop is fit for food, will steps be taken to cancel the issue of any further licences and to keep what potatoes remain in Ireland in that country for home consumption?

I can assure the hon Member that the utmost possible attention is being paid to this question from day to day.

asked the Parlialiamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Order promised by him fixing definitely the price of seed potatoes to the consumer has yet been issued; and what are its terms?

The Order fixing the maximum price of seed potatoes to the consumer has not yet been issued, but the matter is receiving the immediate attention of the Departments concerned in view of the alteration made by the War Cabinet on Saturday in the terms of the Order affecting table potatoes. A conference between the representatives of the three Agricultural Departments will be held to-morrow to discuss the final form of the Order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been directed to the enhanced charges being made in some instances by farmers for the cartage of potatoes sold by them, in order to circumvent the maximum price for the sale of potatoes; and whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with the matter in the interests of the consumer?

The action taken by the War Cabinet on Saturday last will, it is believed, prevent the recurrence of attempts such as those referred to in the question.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether, when the rated occupier fails to cultivate the prescribed 10 per cent, of Ms holding and the Department enters thereon, it will, in dealing with the land, consult the local authority as to its want in the interest of the labourers and landless men in the district?

I am assured that whenever the Department of Agriculture consider it necessary to enter upon the land of an occupier who fails to comply with the Defence of the Realm Regulations for Compulsory tillage, the circumstances of the locality will be duly taken into consideration.

asked whether, under the tillage scheme, it will be possible for county and district councils to acquire and hire out motor ploughs to co-operative societies or small owners who have not the means to purchase them?

Loans in connection with the food production scheme for the purchase of farm implements (including motor tractors and ploughs) may be granted to agricultural associations and co-operative societies as well as to individuals. Accordingly no additional powers have been proposed for local authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the increased allowance which it has been decided to make to dependants of officers and seamen taken prisoners from British merchant ships at sea will apply to the dependants of the captains and officers of British merchant ships who have been interned in Germany since the commencement of the War; and, if not, what increase is proposed to give the maximum allowance of £l per week hitherto paid?

The alteration already made in the scale of allowances does not apply to officers and seamen interned since the commencement of the War. Before considering any general alteration of this kind, I should be glad to have full particulars of any individual cases of hardship which the hon. Gentleman has in mind.

asked whether the Statutory Committee have yet come to a decision to extend the scope of Regulation 13 (d), so that when a member of a family in receipt of a separation allowance goes into hospital no deduction shall be made from the allowance?

Regulation 13 (d) already provides for a grant by a local committee when there is a temporary cessation of the State separation allowance, but the grant is limited to a period of six weeks. A Regulation providing for an extension of this period is in course of preparation and I hope it will shortly be issued.

Does my right hon. Friend say that there is now an existing Regulation and it is not yet printed?

There is an existing Regulation, and another one is in preparation and will shortly be issued extending the period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of a possible shortage of fodder and the consequent premature and wasteful slaughter of live stock, he has considered the further demands on the available fodder if the withdrawal of facilities to obtain petrol make it necessary for private individuals to have recourse to horse-drawn traffic; and whether he will weigh this consideration in determining the tonnage allotted to imports of petrol?

Before the hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether he is aware that for every mile of horse-drawn traffic substituted for petrol from five to eight times the weight and bulk of forage, etc., will have to be imported as against the petrol saved?

Yes, Sir, I am quite aware of it, and I will take notice of the fact. All relevant considerations will be given their due weight in dealing with the petrol question.

I give notice that on the Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill to-morrow, I will endeavour to raise this question?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can see his way to relieve parents living in rural districts, whose children go to school by rail daily or weekly, from the necessity of paying the increased fares, seeing that they are travelling by trains, which it has been decided to run and that their education is a national benefit?

The claims of school children for exemption from the recent increase of railway fares have been considered very carefully; but, as stated in reply to previous questions in this House, it has not been found practicable, in present circumstances, to embark on a policy of concessions to particular classes or individuals. I would observe, however, that no increase has been made in the rates charged for season-tickets, and that the issue of such tickets to day scholars at half-rates has not been discontinued.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he can say how many families of sailors and soldiers it will be possible to establish on the land under the Small Holdings (Colonies) Act; and when it is proposed to introduce legislation enlarging the scope of the Act?

The sites of only t woof the four colonies in England and Wales have as yet been decided upon, but it is estimated that the four will provide altogether for the establishment of about 240 families. I am not in a position at present to reply to the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he can state for what reason dealers in hay are allowed to charge £7 10s. per ton for the hay they sell, whilst the maximum price that farmers, who have all the risk and trouble of production, are allowed to-charge is only £5 10s. to any purchaser; and, in view of the unfairness of this Regulation, can he take steps to have it altered?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on this subject on the 10th July last to the hon. Member for Somerset East.

Is it the fact that farmers cannot sell at £5 10s. to the ordinary purchaser, but is obliged to sell to the dealer?

I do not quite follow the Member's question. If the farmer sells direct to the consumer and does his own baling and trussing, carriage and so forth he is able to charge £7 10s. The maximum of £.5 10s. applies to those cases in which the military authorities do the work to which I have just referred.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why lower prices were fixed for purchases in Scotland?

That is another question.

asked the Prime Minister whether any inquiry is being conducted into the cause of the recent explosion in East London; and whether any and what steps are being taken in the way of compensation for the relatives of the victims?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second part of the question is that, without admitting liability, the Ministry of Munitions are prepared to pay all reasonable claims for damage t>r injury arising out of the explo- sion. Immediately after the disaster an office was opened in the locality to receive claims. The claims which have been received are now being investigated and dealt with as rapidly as possible with a view to settlement.

Does not the right hon. Gentlemen think it is time for the Government to obtain powers making it obligatory upon them to recognise all these claims in regard to munitions explosions, and is he not aware that there is a large number of munitions factories adjacent to houses?

The hon. Member must have overlooked a Bill that was introduced at the end of last Session referring to claims for compensation arising out of explosions. I will send him a copy of it.

Then how is that you say "without admitting any liability" in connection with recent explosions?

We cannot admit absolute liability in every case. It must depend upon the circumstances.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Report of this inquiry will be published?

I understand the Report will be received very soon. I cannot say anything about publication at the present moment.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the fact that at the London Munitions Tribunal seven young women were fined 15s. each for refusing to undertake C.E. work; whether some more satisfactory method of securing regular attendance at this kind of work will be adopted instead of the infliction of heavy fines; and whether he is aware that the unwillingness to work at places where explosives are manufactured is to a large extent due to the lax manner in which the Regulations are enforced?

My attention has been drawn to this case. Under a rule of the factory in question every worker must undertake work in any part of the factory when directed to do so. This rule is brought to the notice of all employés when entering the factory. The Court found that the order was a lawful and a reasonable one. I do not consider that the procedure before the munitions tribunal is an unsatisfactory method of enforcing discipline. As regards the last part of the question, I am not aware of any laxity in the enforcement of regulations at these factories or of any general unwillingness to work at them.

asked the Minister of Munitions the number of new houses erected in Lanarkshire since the beginning of the War for munition workers under schemes arranged with the local authorities?

The number of houses constructed, or now under construction, in Lanarkshire is 200. Arrangements are in hand for further construction to the extent of 350 houses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, considering the increase in juvenile crime, and that there is now said to be no place of detention to which young criminals can be sent owing to all such places being full, he will take into consideration the opinions expressed by county magistrates and the chairmen of county education committees regarding the necessity for the application of the birch rod and issue instructions accordingly?

Arrangements have of late been made for considerable additions to the number of children and young persons who can be received in reformatory and industrial schools, and there are now vacancies in many schools. If magistrates or local authorities find any difficulty in providing for the reception of a case they should apply to the Chief Inspector at the Home Office, who will be able in most cases to give particulars of schools with vacancies. I do not think it necessary to introduce legislation to amend the law as to corporal punishment or to issue any recommendations on the subject.

asked whether the Reports of the Inspectors of Coal Mines for 1915 and 1916 have yet been received; and when will the same be published?

The Reports of the Divisional Inspectors for 1915 will be found in Part I. of the Chief Inspector's General Report for 1915, which was published last autumn. The Reports for 1916 have not yet been received, and I cannot at present fix the date of publication. In ordinary circumstances they would be issued in the summer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware that there are 203 packs of foxhounds in Great Britain and Ireland, 131 packs of harriers, 67 packs of beagles, and 23 packs of stag-hounds, and that these dogs consume annually many tons of oatmeal; that if these packs were dispersed and the hounds kept individually by those who would undertake to look after them they would be maintained on bones and other house refuse which in many cases is wasted, and that in any case their consumption of oatmeal would be reduced; and, seeing that the price of oatmeal before the War in East London was l ½d. per lb. and is now 4 ½d., and that it provides valuable food, whether he will address a circular to masters of foxhounds, masters of hounds, and other hunting masters urging upon them the prompt dispersal of their packs in the national interest?

As I stated in the House on 8th February, the masters of foxhounds have voluntarily decided to reduce their packs very substantially. They are also prepared, I understand, not to-purchase any more oatmeal for hounds during the continuance of the War. The question of the necessity of taking further measures will not be lost sight of.

May I ask whether these foxhounds do not require reduced rations the same as many of us?

That matter will be sympathetically considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether the question of the autonomy of Ireland will be submitted to the Conference to which representatives of the Dominions have been invited; and, if so, whether the Government will be guided by the advice of the Conference in the event of their agreeing that Ireland should have as complete a form of self-government as prevails in the Dominions?

The subjects to be discussed at the Conference will not be finally settled till after the arrival of the representatives of the Overseas Dominions, but the decision of a question which concerns the administration of the United Kingdom can obviously only be taken by the Imperial Parliament.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Ireland is determined to have self-government, and that the time has now passed for Prussianising that country?

Is not this to be a War Conference, and will not the representative Dominions be discussing the question of autonomy for the Czechs and Slovaks, and why should not the question of autonomy for Ireland properly be discussed?

I do not think that either of those questions arises.

They are what we are fighting for.

The subjects to be discussed obviously will not be settled until the representatives arrive. Their views will be taken into consideration. I think we may assume, on the one hand, that the Government will not interfere with the discussion of anything they wish to discuss, and, on the other hand, that they will not wish to discuss anything which will add to the difficulties of the conduct of the War.

Will the representatives of the Dominions who come to the Conference be asked whether in any of those Dominions there is one-quarter of the population which prefers legislative union with the Mother Country, and as there is in Ireland?

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he can state definitely that all soldiers on discharge are receiving Leaflet 29a?

The arrangements for the distribution of Leaflet 29a are such as to secure that every discharged man receives a copy of the leaflet. The Army Council have instructed the regimental authorities to issue a copy of the leaflet to every man on his discharge. Supplies of the leaflet have also been sent to military hospitals in order that men in hospitals may be given copies on their discharge. Local war pensions committees have also been asked to hand a copy, where necessary, to every man with whom they are brought into contact.

In view of these adequate arrangements, can my hon. Friend say how it is they do not get them?

If my hon. Friend can make any suggestions as to how they can receive them, I shall be glad to consider them.

Is not that your work?

Yes.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, how many discharged soldiers suffering from tuberculosis have been found beds in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, by the various Commissions?

Under special arrangements made by the various Insurance Commissions with the Admiralty and the War Office, beds have been provided for nearly 5,000 discharged sailors and soldiers suffering from tuberculosis. Insurance committees have, in addition, provided beds under the ordinary arrangements for a considerable number of discharged men, but I have no information as to the exact number.

Can my hon. Friend say how many of these 5,000 discharged soldiers suffering from tuberculosis have any pension?

No, Sir, I have no information on that at the moment.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the committees have not sufficient funds in hand to deal with the civilian population; and is lie aware that this admission of soldiers is increasing the waiting list of civilians?

Yes, my hon. Friend is quite right.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Derbyshire Insurance Committee propose to charge the practitioners concerned with the estimated cost of medical service subcommittee inquiries; and whether he will take the necessary steps to prevent the Derbyshire or any other insurance committee from taking such action, which is giving rise in the medical profession to dissatisfaction with the administration of medical benefit?

My attention had not been drawn to the matter to which my hon. Friend refers, but in the event of any dispute arising between insurance committees and the practitioners, the latter have the right of appeal to the Commissioners who would, thereupon, deal with the question.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction which exists amongst medical practitioners in Monmouthshire at the payments in advance of remuneration for last year being reduced by 30 per cent, of the amount due as shown by the insured persons on the doctors' lists; and whether any steps can be taken to make a further payment on account forthwith?

I have made inquiries, and am informed that the Monmouthshire Insurance Committee have reserved a small margin, not exceeding 5 ½ per cent., from the advance payments suggested by the Commissioners. I am, however, in communication with the insurance committee with a view to such further sums being advanced as the local conditions will justify.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it would be possible to give a list of the names of all men of military age in the superior grades of the Civil Government Departments and in non-combatant employment in the Admiralty and War Office?

I do not think that such a Return is necessary. The Director of National Service is continuing the policy of the Man-Power Board, and is taking steps to secure that all men of military age employed in Government Departments who can possibly be spared should be made available for military service.

Would it not be possible to give some authority outside the walls of these special offices power of reviewing decisions?

The power is in the hands of the Director of National Service.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us a list applicable to the present Government?

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate whether these men in Government Departments are subject to re-examination like engineering draughts-men and people doing Government work?

Every Department has been subjected to the most thorough examination with a view to getting every possible man.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board of Education has sanctioned the calling up of a teacher named D. F. Griffiths, of Llanelly, passed as C 3, in defiance of the Board of Education Circular 952; and, if so, why?

The case of Mr. D. F. Griffiths, who is a conscientious objector, has, I understand, been dealt with under the Military Service Acts by the Central Tribunal, who granted his exemption from military service on condition that he undertook work of national importance to be approved by them. They were not prepared to approve the work of teaching in a school for that purpose. Circular 952 describes what is merely an administrative arrangement under which the decision on any particular case is reserved to the Army Council. The Board have no authority to use it in such a way as to override the decision of a statutory tribunal under the Military Service Acts.

Are we to understand that national education is not regarded as work of national importance? Cannot the Department do something to impress upon such a tribunal the importance of teaching as a work of national importance?

I did not imply that the view of the Board of Education coincided with the view of the tribunal.

Is it not the case that a man who has these antecedents and who holds these opinions would be strongly resented by the great bulk of parents and that his work in that capacity would not be to the national advantage?

asked the Attorney-General whether he will state the minimum age at which recruits may be taken for the Army; and whether any difference exists between the age in Ireland and the age in England?

There is no legal minimum age in cases of voluntary enlistment. The earliest date at which recruits can be required to report for Service under the Military Service Acts is the 30th day after attainment of the age of eighteen. For special employment in particular branches youths under that age are accepted for direct enlistment if they otter themselves voluntarily. In respect to the minimum age of enlistment there is no difference between Ireland and England. A limited number of boys are enlisted as such for training as bandsmen, tailors and artificers, etc. Boys selected for enlistment as such must be fourteen years of age and under sixteen years, and possess certain educational qualifications.

Has the War Office the legal right to keep a boy in the Army in spite of the protests and requests of his parents?

There is no legal minimum age in the case of voluntary enlistment. It actually does happen that a boy under eighteen years of ago, but probably over sixteen years, from highly patriotic motives comes forward, and enlists, and is passed by the doctor.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that a pledge was given in this House that no boy under seventeen years of age should be retained in the Army? Is it not a fact that the War Office undertook six months ago to release on application every boy who proved to be under seventeen years of age?

The hon. Member is quite right. My right hon. Friend did give such a promise, but that promise applied to existing conditions. Since then we have issued new Regulations.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the new Regulations only reduces it by six months, and in spite of that the War Office allow these things to go on?

The new Regulations say that none of these boys will be discharged. If a boy is under seventeen years of age he will not be discharged, but will be placed on the Reserve.

Will a boy be kept in the Army if documentary evidence can be given that he is only fifteen?

The only promise I can definitely make according to the Regulations is that no boy will be sent abroad until he is nineteen years of age.

:If a boy under seventeen years of age be in delicate health and if his father apply for his discharge will it be granted?

I am glad that my hon. Friend has raised a particular question like that. We are always prepared to discuss and investigate a particular case on its merits. If a case such as my hon. Friend brings to my notice is brought to the notice of the Director of Recruiting I feel sure that the boy would be able to be discharged.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether men who have joined the Navy for the duration of hostilities have the same rights as to progressive pay and promotion as regular sailors?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether all the following ships, the loss of which has been reported, were sunk by submarines, namely, "Cilicia," 3,750 tons; "Ferga," 791 tons; "Margarita," 375 tons; "Ashwold," 129 tons; "Ireland," 152 tons; and "King Alfred"?

It is not the policy to announce how ships are sunk, or where. Both these facts are of use to the enemy. As my hon. Friend is aware, information that a vessel is sunk or damaged is communicated confidentially to the shipowners concerned and to Lloyd's.

Having regard to the great importance of not giving the public an exaggerated notion of the victims of the German submarine campaign, will the right hon. Gentleman, through the Press Bureau, prevent the Press from definitely ascribing the loss of ships to submarines, as the Press can have no knowledge that a submarine was either directly or indirectly the cause of the loss?

I have said that we make no announcements as to how ships are sunk, therefore if any statements have appeared that ships have been sunk by submarines that cannot be in consequence of official information from us. I will make a note of the suggestion of my hon. Friend that some steps should be taken in regard to the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Report of the Dardanelles Commission has been received by the Government; and, if so, when the Report will be accessible to Members?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement as to the Interim Report and any Minority Report of the Dardanelles Commission and as to the publication of such Report, with or without the evidence?

The Report will be published and will. I hope, be in the hands of Members in a few days.

Will the evidence be published?

The Minority Report will be published but not the evidence, as at present advised.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the present number of Ministers of the Crown, and the total amount of the salaries paid to these Ministers?

The answer to the first part of the question is thirty-four, and to the second part £133,500.

Does the right hon. Gentleman only include Members who, in ordinary circumstances, should be Cabinet Ministers or does he include Under-Secretaries? Does not the whole company, with Secretaries and Under-Secretaries, who are not Ministers of the Cabinet, amount to eighty-two—two full quorums of the House of Commons?

This answer includes those who in ordinary times are designated Ministers. It does not include Under-Secretaries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the number of additional Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries appointed since the present Government took office, and what is the total yearly sum to be paid to them; (2) what is the number of Departments created since the Government took office, and the number and total pay of the officials appointed thereto; and what number of buildings have been requisitioned or erected to house these Departments and officials?

The new Departments created by the present Government in addition to the Labour and Pensions Ministries are those under the food Controller, the Shipping Controller, and the Director of National Service. The names of the Ministers and of the Parliamentary Secretaries have been already announced as well as the salaries, with the exception of that of the Director of National Service, whose salary will be fixed at £2,000 a year. The Ministries are housed as follows:—

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question as to the number of additional Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries appointed since the present Government took office?

I have already answered that.

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman gave the total number?

I hope my right hon. Friend is not unwilling to look up the previous statement himself.

asked the Prime Minister on what grounds are the Dukes of Cumberland and Albany, now in arms against the Sovereign and people of this country, who so far back as the 13th May, 1915, have been struck off the roll of the Knights of the Garter, still permitted to retain the rank, style, and dignity of Royal Highness Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and in the case of the Duke of Albany, G. C.V.O., of which they can be deprived by the exercise of the prerogative on the advice of a responsible Minister of the Crown; whether he is aware of the sinister construction placed on the retention of these traitorous personages in possession of the highest honours in the gift of the Crown when contrasted with the severity with which treason has been visited in the case of traitors in humbler walks of life; and whether he will immediately advise the exercise of the Royal prerogative for the divesting of these persons of honours whose retention by them is a standing insult to the Sovereign and people of these countries and calculated to create a belief in the lack of moral earnestness in the prosecution of the War and the issues involved therein?

The Bill in which the hon. Member is interested is now ready and will be introduced in another place next week. I think, therefore, the whole subject had better be postponed until the Bill has been discussed.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman understand that a Bill can have no force whatever in depriving these people of the title of Royal Highness and Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland which, like the Order of the Bath, is a simple act of the prerogative, and why has the Prime Minister not stated, as is his imperative duty, that these people would be struck off the Rolls?

No, I am not aware of that, and my legal advisers tell me some of the cases have to be dealt with by Bill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a contrast is being drawn between the treatment accorded to these highly-placed Royal personages and that accorded to Captain Riepenhausen, who has been persecuted for being a Hanoverian, as George I. and George II. Were?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Report of Lord Balfour of Burleigh's Committee, on the subjects referred to it, will be published.

A copy has been laid upon the Table of the House.

asked the Prime Minister what financial and other arrangements have been made for the transfer of the coal mines in the United Kingdom to the State and for their control by the new Controller of Mines; and what changes, if any, will be made in the position of the miners and in their present rates of pay under the new scheme?

The Prime Minster has asked me to answer this question. I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the arrangements which the Controller of Coal Mines will propose.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be in a position to make a statement on this very important matter, and is it not desirable that a statement should be made in the House of Commons at as early a date as possible, seeing that an announcement has already been made to the Press?

I recognise the desirability of an early statement being made, but having regard to the recent appointment of the Controller. I do not think it is unreasonable to ask for further consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can inform the House what measures, if any, His Majesty's Government intend to propose for the financial improvement of school teachers?

The matter is receiving my most careful consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

When?

I am afraid I can give no date.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state the numbers of the boys and of the girls, respectively, who are known to the Board of Education as preparing to qualify for the position of teachers in public elementary schools?

The total number of boys and girls (including in each case students in training colleges for elementary school teachers) known to the Board at the beginning of the year 1916–17 to be preparing to become teachers in public elementary schools was 22,858, namely, 2,914 boys and 19,944 girls. This number includes boys and girls in all stages of their preparation. I am sending the detailed figures to the hon. Member.

Does not this scale show a serious decline compared with previous years?

I am not in a position To say.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any steps are being taken to increase the salaries of certificated teachers in public elementary schools during the war?

As the hon. Member is, no doubt, aware, teachers in public elementary schools are applying in many areas to the local education authorities for improvement of their salaries. Many authorities have granted increases of salary, usually by way of war bonus. The problem of securing a permanent improvement in the remuneration of the teaching profession is one which I need hardly say is regarded by me as of the first importance.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is a fair position that while in some localities teachers should get an increase of salary, in others it should be denied to them, though they are all suffering?

That, I take it, is part of the price we pay for having our system of education managed partly by central authority and partly by local authority.

Assuming that local authorities are anxious and willing to increase the salaries of the teachers, will the Board of Education make them a larger grant?

The Board of Education is considering very seriously the question of teachers' salaries, and I need hardly say, considering it in a spirit of sympathy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what Statute the Government claim the right to seize private property and sell it?

The question asked by my right hon. Friend is somewhat general in its terms, and it is not known to what property he particularly refers. The right in question is conferred upon the Crown by a variety of Statutes dealing with a variety of classes of property. Without attempting an exhaustive enumeration reference may be made to the Defence Acts, 1842 to 1875, the Military Lands Acts, 1891 to 1900, the Naval Prize Acts, 1864, the Defence of the Realm Consolidation Act, 1914, the Defence of the Realm (Amendment) (No. 3) Act, 1915, and the Customs Acts. In addition to the powers conferred by the above Statutes and the Regulations made in pursuance thereof the Crown in times of grave public danger, such as the present, possesses prerogative powers, never precisely defined, but extremely wide, for dealing with the property of subjects where the exercise of such powers is necessary, in relation to the immediate danger, for securing the public safely and defence of the Realm.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman inform me under what Statute is derived the right to take wool and sell it abroad in order to maintain exchange?

The right hon. Gentleman had better give me notice of any specific case. I think he will find a warrant in the Regulations ot the Defence of the Realm Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any abatement may be claimed in the quarterly payment of Income Tax by Belgian workmen who are helping to maintain a home in this country during the War and are remitting regularly to support their wives and families in Belgium; and, if so, can he state the extent of such allowance?

Weekly wage earners of whatever nationality who are chargeable to Income Tax by quarterly assessment are allowed the statutory deduction of £25 for each child under the age of sixteen years. Also, wherever, owing to exceptional conditions mainly arising out of the War, a wage earner is employed away from home, a deduction is allowed in respect of the additional cost of living away from home—up to a maximum of 2s. 6d. per day—provided that he does not receive any additional payment beyond his taxable earnings in respect of such additional cost. Apart from the allowance for children the law does not permit any deduction for Income Tax purposes to any taxpayer in respect of payments for the support of dependent relatives.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he will issue as a White Paper the statistics on franchise and redistribution presented to the Speaker's Conference?

I understand that the only official statistics which were circulated to the Speaker's Conference were figures taken from the Parliamentary Returns 1908, No. 364, and 1915, No. 120, or from the Census Returns of 1911. I doubt whether any useful purpose would be served by issuing them in the form suggested.

asked if a revised scale of rations for the workhouses of the country has been sanctioned to bring them within the scale laid down by the Food Controller; and if the amount of 8 lbs. of bread per week is still allowed for each inmate, compared with the 4 lbs. allowed to other persons?

My Noble Friend is in communication with the Food Controller with regard to workhouse dietaries, and revised instructions will be issued at an early date.

As a great amount of interest is taken in this question by a large number of people, I hope that there will be no delay.

We are awaiting the decision of the Food Controller, who unfortunately is ill.

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, if dentistry is regarded as work of national importance; and, if so, will he take action in the case of Ernest Longton, of 95, Bradshaw Gate, Bolton, a dental practitioner, who attends an average of thirty patients daily, and who has been ordered by the tribunal to leave this work and secure alternative service; and if the Director of National Service will take steps to put an end to such waste of national service as is caused by such cases as this, where men are taken from work of public necessity to work which they are not accustomed, and at which they are therefore inefficient?